To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

So I was very sure that my kids HAD to see Santa Claus this year. Last year we didn't get around to it, but TJ wasn't quite sure who he was yet, and Taryn was just plain little. However, TJ is very sure who he is now, and had a whole little speech prepared to let him know what he wants for Christmas:

"I want a telescope, a real camera, and a milkshake."

I found a website that said they had Santa in downtown Summerville on Saturday mornings, and you could take your own picture. How perfect is that? I hate going to the mall and standing in line for four hours to spend $50 for one stupid picture! So off we went. Fortune of all fortunes, Julia had also decided to go at the same time with her kids! We found the door to the Santa place, and were quickly met with much more than we had bargained for.

I figured it would be a few people coming and going and you could just kinda casually go up to see Santa while shopping. I did not figure we would be in line for over an hour waiting in a hot building. Thank goodness my mom and Julia were there, b/c I couldn't have done it w/o them! Andrew is AWESOME, too, as he kept an eye on Taryn for me. Once we got near the front, Taryn got really excited about being there, and kept trying to push her way in to get to Santa. Then we got to the front and our turn, and she freaked out and wouldn't go up to him! Kids are so funny! TJ went right up and sat on his lap and told him his prepared speech. Sadly, Santa wasn't listening at the moment, and five minutes later asked TJ what he wanted for Christmas....Of course, now TJ wasn't listening, so all was well. After we survived that, and I do mean survived, we went home to rest before we were off again to my Aunt Barbara's church to see their "Gospel of Scrooge" play. It was pretty good, but VERY long. It started at six and we didn't get out until almost NINE! I kept thinking, "Hmmm, I don't remember this much about God being in Scrooge." Then I remembered I was in a church! DUH!

So, it's been a long day, and I'm pooped. I'll see you later. Have a great day!